The Best Time to Buy Anything During the Year

On February 16, 2025 By newsroom Topic: Shopping Skills

Save money year-round by timing your purchases strategically. Here's your ultimate guide:

General Guidelines

First Quarter (Jan/Feb/March):
- Focus on off-season items like boats, grills, winter clothing, and clearance furniture.
- Post-holiday sales offer deals on clothes, gift cards, and bedding.
- Superbowl season discounts TVs and home theater systems in February.

Second Quarter (April/May/June):
- Best deals on cookware for graduation season and gym memberships post-New Year’s resolution fade.
- Appliances and tools are priced lower before Father’s Day.

Third Quarter (July/Aug/Sept):
- Back-to-school sales mean discounts on computers, office supplies, and kids’ clothing.
- Buy summer items like swimsuits and patio furniture during end-of-season clearances.

Fourth Quarter (Oct/Nov/Dec):
- Prime time for appliances, electronics, and holiday gifts.
- Black Friday and Cyber Monday offer significant savings.

Month-by-Month Breakdown

January:

Clothing: Post-Christmas sales on winter wear.
Linens/Bedding: Traditional white sales = discounts.
Furniture: Clearance for new February stock.
Motorcycles: Winter discounts, but no immediate riding weather.
Gift Cards: Exchange sites offer post-holiday deals.

February:

Broadway Tickets: Off-season prices on less popular shows.
Cell Phones: BOGO deals around Valentine’s Day.
Televisions/Home Theaters: Pre-Super Bowl sales on older models.

March:

Chocolate: Post-Valentine’s Day candy clearances.
Frozen Foods: National Frozen Food Month = sales.
Luggage: Pre-vacation season discounts.
Golf Clubs: Old models discounted before summer releases.

April:

Cruises: Plan ahead for summer trips.
Sneakers: Spring sales for workout enthusiasts.

May:

Refrigerators: New models arrive, old ones get discounted.
Mattresses: Spring sales make this a great time to buy.
Office Furniture: Post-tax season deals for home businesses.

June:

Dishware: Wedding season discounts.
Gym Memberships/Equipment: Declining New Year’s resolutioners mean deals.
Tools: Father’s Day-related sales.

July:

Furniture: New stock in August means July clearance sales.
Tools: DIY season continues with discounts.
Video Games: Summer gaming sales like Steam’s blowout.

August:

Linens/Storage: College dorm season sales.
Swimsuits: End-of-summer clearances.
School Supplies: Back-to-school sales peak.

September:

Appliances: Old models clear out for October arrivals.
Bicycles: End-of-season discounts.
Wine: Harvest season sales.

October:

Appliances: Continued fall discounts.
Patio Furniture: End-of-season deals.
Jeans: Leftovers from back-to-school sales.

November:

Appliances/Electronics: Black Friday/Cyber Monday.
Tools: Holiday sales for DIYers.
Candy: Post-Halloween discounts.

December:

Champagne: Competitive holiday pricing.
Golf Clubs: Off-season bargains.
Pools: Buy now for next summer’s fun.
TVs/Electronics: Deals continue through January.

Bonus Tips

Weekly Timing:
Airfare: Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Groceries: Shop midweek for the freshest deals.
Dining Out: Midweek dining offers better promotions.
Off-Season Buys: Boats, air conditioners, and grills are cheaper in the winter.

Plan wisely, save big, and shop smarter throughout the year!

General Buying Tips for Any Time of Year

These tips will help you snag the best deals regardless of the season or specific months!

Weekly Deals

Appliances:
- Best Day: Sundays.
- Reason: Most people shop for major appliances on weekends, so stores offer deals to attract buyers.
- Bonus Tip: Look for holiday sales (e.g., Memorial Day, Independence Day).

Computers & Electronics:
- Best Day: Mondays.
- Reason: Manufacturers and retailers apply rebates at the start of the week.
- Includes: TVs, cameras, and video games.

Gas Prices:
- Best Time: Wednesday or early Thursday morning.
- Reason: Prices peak mid-morning Thursday to target weekend travelers.

Jewelry:
- Best Day: Wednesdays.
- Avoid: Popular gifting periods like Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, and Christmas for better prices.

Entertainment Venues:
- Best Time: Midweek.
- Reason: Museums, amusement parks, and similar venues often offer discounts when crowds are smaller.
- Pro Tip: Look for free admission days or special promotions.

Chocolate:
- Best Times: After holidays like Halloween, Christmas, Easter, or Valentine’s Day.
- Reason: Stores clear out holiday-themed candy at deep discounts.

Long-Term Strategies

Cars:
- Seasonal Tip:
- Convertibles are cheaper in winter.
- SUVs and 4x4s are cheaper in summer.
- Model-Specific Tip:
- Look for deals at the end of the model year or after a mid-cycle refresh (updated version of an existing model).
- Example: In 2008, BMW dealerships discounted 2008 models heavily in summer before 2009 models arrived.

Mattresses:
- Best Time: February (clearance before March’s new models).
- Bonus: Discounts pop up year-round, so monitor stores for sales.

Thrift Stores:
- Best Month: January.
- Reason: Post-holiday donations flood stores as people declutter for tax receipts.

General Monitoring:
- Watch for sales triggered by random inventory changes, refresh cycles, or unexpected clearances.
- Examples:
- Newegg Shell Shockers for electronics.
- End-of-season clothing deals.

Pro Tips for Smart Buying

Research Prices: Keep an eye on desired items for fluctuations to identify true discounts.
Holiday Deals: Take advantage of major sale days like Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
Seasonal Timing: Buy off-season for items like patio furniture, grills, or winter gear.

With a little patience and planning, you can make the most of your purchases anytime!